TAG Maintenance Services has been rebranded as Dassault Aviation Business Services (DABS), effective today, the France-based OEM announced. Despite the name change, the company said it is “reconfirming its commitment” to supporting business aircraft manufactured by competing OEMs.
“Customers will see a new name, but the commitment to applying advanced technology and the ultimate in service quality will remain the same as ever,” said DABS president Franck Madignier. “In fact, since the acquisition by Dassault, we have invested heavily to expand to new locations, upgrade facilities, and, as always, stay at the leading edge of the MRO business.”
Dassault acquired TAG Aviation's MRO operations in 2019 and renamed it TAG Maintenance Services. The division later expanded to include the business jet MRO operations of Ruag in Switzerland that Dassault purchased.
DABS offers full-service operations in Geneva and in Farnborough, England, as well as facilities in Basel, Lugano, and Sion, Switzerland; Paris Le Bourget; Lisbon, Portugal; London Luton; and Luanda, Angola. The unit of Dassault also operates an FBO with locations on the north and south aprons of Geneva International Airport.
After the Covid pandemic interrupted its biennial schedule in 2020, the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Show returns this December for the first time since 2018. Scheduled to take place from December 6 through 8 at the Dubai Airshow site at Dubai World Central/Al Maktoum International Airport, this year is expected to equal if not exceed the 2018 event, according to MEBAA founding and executive chairman Ali Alnaqbi.
To further encourage networking, this year’s show will feature a circular, more open floor plan rather than the typical closely packed aisles associated with trade shows. As the registration level has accelerated closer to the show date, Alnaqbi said he expects between 400 and 500 exhibitors, including more than 40 first-time MEBAA exhibitors. “After the pandemic, people were not sure, but the Dubai Airshow last year gave confidence in the capability of us putting on a very exciting show,” he told AIN. Other features will include a VIP lounge, and a new technologies and innovation conference. In addition, organizers say the static display will host between 40 and 50 aircraft.
With the attendee registration window open now for several weeks, Alnaqbi is encouraged by the pace. “This is the only business aviation show in the Middle East and North Africa so everybody is excited to come back after the small pause of the pandemic,” he said.
Under a partnership between CNC Technologies and Pro Star Aviation, the companies have delivered a fifth high-tech special-mission Cessna 208 Caravan to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Londonderry, New Hampshire-based Pro Star was selected by CNC Technologies for completions and installation based on its experience with special-mission aircraft. Pro Star’s integration included digital audio systems, tactical communications, electro-optical and infrared camera systems, video downlink, a supplemental type certificate for gross weight increase, and additional equipment.
“Working with CNC Technologies our special missions team applied proven solutions that enabled an on-time and on-budget delivery,” said Pro Star special-missions business development manager John Hill. “The technology and operational readiness this law enforcement platform provides is incredible. Our strategic partnership with CNC has enabled an unprecedented advance in capabilities and reliability to the operator.”
Embassair is set to become the fourth fixed-base operator at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), and the latest addition to the AEG Connect FBO Network, when it opens in December, the company announced today. Designed by renowned architect Jacques Rougerie, the V-shaped facility seamlessly blends together the 15,000-sq-ft FBO terminal and 60,000-sq-ft of hangar space.
“We want to offer the finest door-to-door service for both business and leisure travelers, providing best-in-class concierge services, modern architectural designs that incorporate the latest technologies, and the highest standards of safety and security,” said company founder Frank Devaux.
The FBO terminal includes a large lobby and four private luxury boarding lounges with direct access to the ramp. It also will have 5,000 sq ft of space dedicated for crew, including three full-size snooze room suites. Additionally, there will be a covered garage with electric vehicle charging stations for customers.
“Embassair’s FBO is one of the most innovative terminals in the world and a true work of art,” added Frank Devaux. “It is based on Embassair’s values of innovation, luxury, and security.”
Virtual Engine Training Sets FlightSafety Apart
FlightSafety, the aviation training leader has pivoted into the cyberworld, offering a new way to interact with components—through virtual engine training. Working with Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), FlightSafety has developed cutting-edge training technology to view the engine, interactively, and explore it down to the component level.
Taking further aim at foreign repair station safety, the House of Representatives last week approved a bill to strengthen the FAA’s oversight of maintenance shops outside the U.S.
Reintroduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Pete DeFazio (D-Oregon) earlier this year, the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, H.R.7321, calls on the FAA to conduct unannounced inspections at foreign repair stations that conduct work on aircraft operated under the U.S. FAR Part 121. It further would establish minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations. Further, air carriers would be required to submit detailed maintenance reports.
DeFazio said the bill is intended to “close the gap between our safety standards and those of foreign repair stations,” and added, “By ensuring a uniform standard of safety, no matter where an aircraft is repaired and maintained, we will make our skies safer.”
In introducing the bill, DeFazio has expressed concern that the FAA has been too slow to act on previous recommendations on increasing safety oversight at foreign repair stations. The bill, he said, “establishes one standard of safety regardless of where the aircraft is maintained.”
The Aeronautical Repair Station Association called the bill “a solution in search of a problem” and added, “The industry’s safety record is exceptional and new, unnecessary mandates on the agency or industry will only divert resources."
Relief efforts for the hurricane-ravaged Pine Island were underway with some 15 pallets of supplies collected at Naples Airport in Florida yesterday, the airport authority reported today. The Southwest Florida barrier island was pummeled by Hurricane Ian last week and the lone bridge linking to it was heavily damaged, though the state today said temporary repairs to make the bridge passable are expected by Saturday.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, which itself is still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian,” said Naples Airport Authority executive director Chris Rozansky of the collection efforts. “In one day, the community came together and collected more than 15 pallets of critically needed food, water, cleaning supplies and more for the people of Pine Island.”
The suppliers were originally set to be delivered by air, but the airport authority said, “Due to the tremendous response, the decision was made to take the supplies by boat rather than aircraft. Truck and boat transportation will be undertaken by Operation Airdrop and the Cajun Navy.”
Four Corners Aviation has acquired Omaha, Nebraska-based charter, sales, and management company UltraAir. Twenty-year-old UltraAir will be operationally folded into Four Corners Aviation, though it will continue to have a corporate presence, including a fleet of aircraft, in Omaha.
“As we continue to grow all segments of our business, this acquisition helps us scale up our operation,” said Four Corners Aviation CEO Brian Proctor. “We have seen increased interest in all our product offerings, which include jet card solutions, aircraft management, and our innovative Freedom program.”
Scott Robertson, the CEO of UltraAir, said the “transaction will provide limitless opportunities for our employees and ensures that our customers will continue to receive 'a flight above the rest' for many years to come.” Proctor added that UltraAir embodies the same values at Four Corners, making the combination a good fit.
UltraAir has a charter fleet of about a half-dozen airplanes, ranging from the Beechcraft King Air B200 to the Bombardier Learjet 45 to the Dassault Falcon 7X.
Duncan Aviation has implemented Ambry Hill Technologies VistaQuote as the MRO providers new request-for-quote (RFQ) management solution. VistaQuote is a cloud-based and mobile application that allows users to view a consolidated and organized view of all incoming RFQs, regardless of the marketplace or message source.
With VistaQuote, Duncan Aviation said it will be able to accomplish more, serve customers faster, and improve its sales efficiency and performance. “This new RFQ management capability will be a key component to Duncan Aviation’s continued success by optimizing the sales workflow and increasing the speed of service for customers,” said Duncan Aviation assistant manager for parts and rotable sales Cary Prange.
“Using VistaQuote to manage RFQs means that Duncan Aviation retains much more transaction data than with their previous process. Also, the forms customizations and reporting abilities built into VistaQuote give the Duncan team valuable insights for more informed decision making when it comes to uncovering opportunities,” noted Ambry Hill v-p of sales Richard Frisk.
Supersedes but retains the requirements of EASA AD 2022-0154, which mandated detailed visual inspections of tail rotor damper bracket assemblies for cracks. Updated AD amends the definition of the affected part and requires a detailed visual inspection for all affected parts.
Requires introducing a new time limits/maintenance checks inspection task to ensure timely detection of cracks in the nose landing gear door hinge fittings. Prompted by an in-service event occurred where the "NOSE GEAR DOOR" amber caution message displayed on the crew alerting system during the initial climb after gear retraction. A post-landing inspection found that one of the nose landing gear door hinge fitting assemblies was broken. The absence of an inspection to detect cracks in the fillet radii of this door hinge fitting could result in door misalignment with the airplane. A door misalignment could increase the drag and yawing movement during flight, cause jamming of the door affecting the ability to extend/retract the now landing gear, or potentially result in the door detaching from the airplane.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
AINalerts is a publication of AIN Media Group, 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
